Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
I am happy to be here with you today to declare on behalf of the President of the Republic the opening of the proceedings of the 11th Mayors’ Conference of the Organisation European Cities Against Drugs on the subject The fight against Drugs is a Family Matter.
With this opportunity, I would like to congratulate the Aglantzia Municipality for hosting this Conference in Cyprus and for contributing with this initiative to the joint effort made for the fight against the spread and abuse of drugs.
I would particularly like to welcome the distinguished scientists from Cyprus and abroad who have been invited and are here today with us to bring us their valuable knowledge and experience and to share with us common speculations.
The involvement of the local authorities as well as the community may contribute positively and effectively to the early prevention of social phenomena such as drug abuse, juvenile criminality, and domestic violence.
The spread and abuse of drugs constitutes a complex and multi-dimensional global phenomenon that is becoming more and more threatening to the society.
The plague of drugs keeps spreading not only because these specific substances exist, they always did. We must first seek the causes of drug abuse in the quality of family and human relations, the existing social structures and generally in the psychological dead-ends of the modern man.
Family, undoubtedly, constitutes one of the decisive factors as regards a person’s attitude towards drugs. On one hand, it acts as one of the factors that can contribute to the abuse of drugs but on the other hand, it can be used as a tool and a shield for the prevention of this phenomenon. Therefore, its role can never be underlined enough. The cultivation of conditions of safety and stability for our children as they grow up will allow us to transform this problem into a marginalised social phenomenon.
The government, foreseeing the visible danger that threatens us has given high priority to the drafting and implementation of a national policy for the prevention against the abuse and spread of drugs as well as for the treatment and social rehabilitation of drug addicts.
The prevention policy, the main pylon of the National Strategy against Drugs that has been drafted by the Anti-Drugs Council, underlines the significance of implementing multi-level and multi-form interventions and signals the start of a strategic review and a holistic management of the phenomenon.
All the actions governed by the National Strategy have been designed based on the collaboration, partnership, coordination, and mobilisation of all the competent bodies.
One of the goals of the Anti-Drugs Council is the immediate implementation of the National Strategy against Drugs and the National Action Plan. The recent establishment and operation of the National Documentation and Information Centre for Drugs has rendered possible our connection and participation to the activities of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
We also show particular sensitivity in the matter of Treatment and Social Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts.
Two Treatment and Social Rehabilitation Centres have already been established: the Physical Detoxification Centre for adult drug addicts and the Psychological Support and Social Rehabilitation Centre for Adults. At the same time, we promote the establishment of the Teenage and Underage Users Treatment Centre.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Order, in the framework of its competencies for the repression of drug trafficking, pays particular attention to the upgrading of the role and the work of the Police.
Within this framework, we offer training to all the Members of the Police on a scientific and permanent basis in both Cyprus and abroad aiming to the maximization of its effectiveness in this area.
At the same time, the Drug Squad is constantly reinforced with workforce and modern technology.
Our aim is also to reinforce international collaboration for the eradication of smuggling and the reduction/repression of illegal trafficking of drugs internationally.
Apart from all the efforts made to tackle this phenomenon, our focus should be the prevention policy, a fundamental tool of which is proper education and information for the young people of our society on the devastating consequences of psychoactive substances.
On a state level, we also undertake the responsibility to provide substantial and multi-level support and appropriate training to the parents. They will thus acquire the necessary skills to raise their children in a healthy and proper manner and manage their behaviour at every stage of their life.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This fight is not just a state or police issue, and it is not just an issue concerning the various bodies and services that cannot be all and always present. It is an issue that should concern all of us: for effective defence, constant vigilance, and responsible information of the persecuting authorities. Every blow against drugs is saving lives and social values. That is why we welcome all voluntary initiatives and we shall support them in any way.
In conclusion, I would like to thank again the organisers of this event as well as the speakers and all of you who are here today to present your own views.
With these thoughts and with the certainty that the conclusions of your Conference shall constitute a significant tool in the effort for the fight against the plague of drugs I declare on behalf of the President of the Republic the opening of the 11th Mayors’ Conference of the organisation European Cities Against Drugs and I wish you every success.
Thank you.

 
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